FAN Conferences

I have a two year old that is anaphylactic to both milk and eggs and we are constantly struggling to get his allergies under control.

I was thinking of attending a FAN conference this year to see what they said about pre-k, school nurses, and accidental exposures. There isn't a conference in Texas, so I would have to fly out.

My husband thinks I should wait until it is closer to time for Eli to go to school to attend a conference.

Have any of you attended a conference? What are your thoughts on them??

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On Jan 10, 2000

I have never been to a conference, but was wondering how you found one. What sort of topics are discussed at a conference? This might be a very dumb question, but is your child sensitive in the same way my son is to peanuts, to touch and to traces of those products as well? If your child eats a baked good with egg or milk will he go into shock?

Thanks
andrea

On Jan 10, 2000

Hi Andrea,

Here is the link to FAN's Conference's for the year 2000 and also other upcoming events at [url="http://www.foodallergy.org/calendar.html"]www.foodallergy.org/calendar.html[/url] .

Stay Safe.

On Jan 10, 2000

Bakermom,

Yes, Eli's allergy is very much like a PA. He has gone into anaphylactic shock from a glass of milk spilling on him. If he drinks from the glass of somebody that has ate a dairy or egg product, he breaks out.

I seem to have more in common with the PA moms, than I do other food allergy moms.

Kristene

On Jan 13, 2000

Hi Kristine,
We have a PA son who is egg and milk allergic as well. Only peanut causes anaphalaxsis. Milk and eggs hives ect. He also will break out from touch of egg, and anaphalactic to touch of peanut. I know how difficult this can be, as do all PA parents.

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I don't know if your husband is right, I think my hubby feels the same way. I feel the more I know and the sooner I know it the better prepared I will be.

Hope that you find a conference that you can attend that will be helpful now or in the future :-)
Stay Safe Jackie

On Jan 13, 2000

If you have the resources (money to attend) go to everything you can and learn all you can. Education helps you to stay safe!
You may learn something which helps you now and in the future!

The school issue is very important, and may seem far off, but it is not to early to start preparing yourself. You need to have the
knowledge to work with the school when the time comes and to be sure the school handles it well, and if the school does not
then you will need the education to show them why they must make the changes you request. Remember that becoming
educated and experienced with this allergy does not happen overnight! It is a learning process. I would not put off an
educational opportunity such as this if you are able to attend, especially if you have not attended any of this type before. Many
people who are on this site have attended many of the FAN conferences and many other educational meetings put on by other
organizations and groups etc.. Some go every year (or try to) and others go once in a while to certain ones.

Our school, which Erica now attends, took about two years of work to prepare. It took constant insistence by us. We knew from others experiences that it could take this long to prepare a school (and sadly many people failed to get their schools to cooperate), so we started about two years before she was to start kindergarten to prepare the school. Can you believe even with this much preparation time we still didn't even know for sure, even a few days before, if she was going to be able to attend? We were contacted by the Superintendent of Schools (for our city) who wanted to have a meeting only days before Erica's first day
because he wanted to be clear on what was going to be done, this was after we thought everything was all set and had worked
with the principal of the school, the head nurse of the school system , the school nurse (part time), teachers etc.! This is very
stressful, we wanted Erica to be there on the first day of school with her classmates (and had worked hard for this to be able to
happen), and even a few days before she was to start, we were not sure if she would be able to attend (or if we would have to fight or go through it all over again preparing another school). This should not be something that parents of peanut allergic children should have to deal with, schools should have plans in place and be educated to deal with this allergy. We (as parents) should not have to fight with a school to do what is needed when it comes to keeping a child safe. I understand that it is best if parents can work with their school to
obtain the best environment for the child, but sadly many of us end up having to fight with our schools because the school will
not do what is necessary. It is a very emotional, stressful situation when a school is resistant to do what is needed. I am glad
we learned what we did (became educated about the allergy) before we had to work on preparing her school, we had some
bumps in the road with some of the school system's staff etc. and our education about the allergy helped us to educate them,
win them over, and put in place what otherwise would not have been done.

------------------
Stay Safe,

[email]"Chris@PeanutAllergy.Com"[/email]

On Feb 9, 2000

I live in New Jersey. I have a 3 yr old PA daughter.I am considering going to the FAN conference in Rye, N.Y., in June. I am wondering, is there anyone else who may be going? Also, from anyone who has attended these conferences, what can I expect there.

On Feb 9, 2000

I've been thinking about attending the conference in Crystal City, VA in March. But, whew, $75 and $55 more if I want my spouse to go (which I do). I know conferences are expensive so I don't think FAN is ripping me, but it is hard to know if the expense is worth the knowledge I might gain. Anyone have any reviews on previous FAN conferences?
Christine

On Feb 9, 2000

My husband and I both attend the FAN conf.
He is PA and the conferences are more for the parents of PA. I found the conference very educational.

My Husband and I attend the one in Chicago. The first conference we went to, I forgot shampoo. While in the shower my husband used the hotel shampoo. Come to find out (after a lot of researching) the shampoo had almonds in it. He was very ill and could not attend the beginning session. Dr. Sampson was there among many others. I was able to speak personally with him about my husband. He is a very caring man and answered my question and concerns.

While my husband was ill, the staff at the meeting were every helpful and very concerned. I had access to the best medical care for him (not to mention how many epi-pens).
I know Dr. Sampsons tells other about the exposure through shampoo.

I agree with Chris about educating yourself. I would suggest going to one. Then you would know for yourself. The people you will meet and talk with can also be very educational.
My husband was able to attend later and he also enjoyed the meetings and speaking with people who have a common goal. "Protection and Cure for those who deal with PA.

Even though he had an exposure we were still able to enjoy the rest of the weekend in Chicago. Dealing with PA can be so stressful. The time away and friends we made at the conference were worth the trip.

On Feb 14, 2000

This message is to Christine. My wife and I have signed up to attend the Virginia conference - the one on Sat., March 18th. Is that the one you are talking about? If so, and you decide to go, let me know and let's look each other up at the conference.

We live in Charlottesville - only about two hours south of D.C. area.

On Feb 14, 2000

Haven't made my final decision yet but will let you know when I do. Thanks, and yes, the one on March 18th is the one I'm planning on going to.
Christine

On Feb 19, 2000

Hi, I have been to the FAN conferences in 1998 and 1999 in southern California. I would highly recommend attending! They are very informative and supportive. I learned a tremendous amount the first year, found a wonderful support group of women right in my town that I didn't even know existed and since have become very educated. The second year was able to concentrate in other areas like schools, diet, cooking, and other emotional aspects like learning to let go, teaching your child to take responsibility for their allergies.
We have just moved to Louisiana and I'm sad that I will be missing out this year. Their speakers are great. Their lunches are used for networking and are also very helpful.

FAN is definitely on top of what's going on regarding food allergies.
Please go if you can!

On Feb 20, 2000

My husband and I attended the conference in Baltimore last year and learned a lot. The speakers included Dr. Wood from Johns Hopkins, some representatives of a food manufacturer to help describe what questions get the best responses when calling manufacturers, the head of Maryland's EMT service, and a section on cooking substitutions (This section dealt mostly with wheat and milk substitution, but there was some discussion about egg-free cooking). They seated people at the lunch by either state or zip code depending how many people were there from your area, so it was good for networking. One of the best things about the conference was seeing a very large conference room of people who were dealing with the same thing you were.

Someone posted their notes from last year's conference on the web site last year. You may want to look that up to see what was discussed.

On Mar 8, 2000

Is anybody here going to the conference in Virginia next week?

On May 3, 2000

Did anybody go to the Chicago conference last week?

I will be attending the NY conference in June, and will post a full report.

Kristene

On May 5, 2000

My 18 month old daughter is allergic to peanuts and eggs also. Her first anaphylactic episode was having scramble eggs for breakfast. Her first hot breakfast ever. And her last. At the time, we did not know she had allergies. She had not been tested yet. It was very frightening, but that was then and this is now.
I would like for a conference to be in Virginia some time. I know our family has a lot to learn, one day at a time.

On Jun 11, 2000

Is anybody else going to the NY conference next weekend?

I was just wondering so that I could put a face with a name in case you are.

Kristene

On Jun 11, 2000

Actually I didn't know there was a conference next weekend. Do you know the contact to find out other dates? I am hoping one will be here in DC soon!

On Jun 12, 2000

Here's a link to FAN's conference listings: [url="http://www.foodallergy.org/calendar.html"]http://www.foodallergy.org/calendar.html[/url]
I hope to be going to the Rye Conference.

On Jun 12, 2000

Kristine! Dont forget me! It will be interesting to see how many Texans will be there!

On Jun 12, 2000

My husband and I are going to the Newport Beach one in September.

On Jun 27, 2000

I just got back from the NY conference. Has anybody else posted a synopsis? If not, I will post one later on.